Abstract
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and depression/anxiety are often comorbid in children, and consequences of ADHD are more detrimental in lower socioeconomic levels. The aim of this study was to compare co-occurrence of ADHD and depression/anxiety with ADHD alone and depression/anxiety alone when the outcome measure is somatic complaints. Additionally, we examined whether low parental Socio- Economic Position (SEP) were related to occurrence of ADHD alone, depression/anxiety alone, and co-occurrence. The sample consisted of 12,900 parents who participated in a cross-sectional health survey that included Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and impact supplement. Socio-economic factors were dichotomized into low versus average/high parental socio-economic position (SEP), abdominal pain, neck pain and headache were categorized as somatic complaints. Parents described 58 % of the children with ADHD as comorbid with depression/anxiety. Children with ADHD only report somatic complaints when thedisorder is co-occurring with depression/anxiety. The prevalence of ADHD, depression/ anxiety, or a combination of the two disorders in children, is higher when parents have a low socio-economic position. Increased awareness of the heterotypic nature of ADHD is needed, especially when interpreting somatic complaints. There is a pattern of an inverse relationship between mental health and socio-economic position in children when measured by ADHD and depression/anxiety.
Highlights
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder
This study suggests that somatic complaints are not more common among children having ADHD alone, but rather associated with depression/anxiety
In addition that children from lower socio-economic position (SEP) families are more at risk for ADHD, depression or anxiety and that somatic complaint are associated with the conditions
Summary
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder. The long-term outcome of children with ADHD indicates an increased risk for criminal activity and substance abuse. The disorder is complicated by its heterogeneity, and evidence suggests high levels of comorbidity between ADHD and conduct (30-50%), oppositional defiant disorder (40-50%), depression and anxiety disorder (15-75%) [5]. Both ADHD and depression/ anxiety are associated with significant impairments. Because anxiety and depression overlap, there exists a common disorder. They are considered a part of a larger category called internalizing syndrome or negative affectivity, and are both variants of a single mood disorder [7]. In some epidemiological studies ADHD is significantly associated with somatic complaints [12,13,14]
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